Bruce homers, Reds beat slumping A's 3-1

By JOE KAYAP Baseball Writer

CINCINNATI (AP) - Jay Bruce homered and made a run-saving catch on the warning track, and Mat Latos pitched into the eighth inning against Oakland's slumping lineup on Tuesday night, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 3-1 victory over the Athletics.

The Reds had dropped 7 of 9 and were coming off what players called an embarrassing weekend against St. Louis - losses of 13-3 and 15-2.

They found an American League team struggling even more. The West-leading Athletics have lost 5 of 6.

Latos (11-3) allowed four hits through 7 1-3 shutout innings, leaving him 3-0 in his last four starts. Aroldis Chapman gave up Derek Norris' two-out homer in the ninth while getting his 26th save in 30 chances.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.